Koe Wetzel Blends Heartbreak and Rock on The Night Champion
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
Review by Lauren Page | @LiveWithLP
There’s something about Koe Wetzel’s voice that just keeps getting better with every release. Effortlessly progressing from record to record, his latest album, The Night Champion, proves exactly why he continues to be one of the most exciting artists in country-rock right now. He’s constantly evolving, but at the same time staying true to the sound that fans know and love.
It’s been two years since 9 Lives, the album that first introduced me to Koe Wetzel. Since then, we’ve had a live album and even a Christmas album, but I think it’s fair to say fans were more than ready for a new studio release. Thankfully, The Night Champion doesn’t disappoint, delivering 11 tracks packed with the honest songwriting, country-rock edge and raw emotion that Koe does so well.
Opening track Sinner is an interesting way to kick things off. Mixing lyrics with spoken word, it feels dark, moody and a little mysterious, while still carrying that unmistakable Koe Wetzel energy. From there, the album moves through tracks including Circus, Hurts Like You, Dollar and a Bottle, Time Goes On and Surrounded, all of which fit perfectly within the story and feel of the record.
One thing Koe Wetzel has always done incredibly well is write songs that hit you right in the chest. We saw that throughout 9 Lives, particularly with tracks like When I’m Gone, and The Night Champion continues that trend. Songs such as When I Was, Surrounded and Time Goes On showcase some of Koe’s strongest songwriting yet, blending heartbreak and honesty with production that somehow manages to feel polished without losing any of the emotion.
Nowhere Fast is easily one of my favourite tracks on the album. Leaning more into Koe’s rockier side, it brings a different energy to the record and feels like one that will absolutely go off in a live setting. It’s gritty, powerful and exactly the kind of track that reminds you how well Koe balances country and rock influences.
If I had one small criticism, it’s that some tracks naturally stand out more than others, but that’s true of almost every album. What The Night Champion does brilliantly is keep you engaged from start to finish, with enough variety to make each track feel like it has its own place on the record.
Overall, The Night Champion is another stellar release from Koe Wetzel. It feels like a natural progression from 9 Lives, showing growth without losing any of the authenticity that makes his music so relatable. I really enjoyed his collaboration with Corey Kent earlier this year, and after hearing this album, I’m hoping we not only get more collaborations in the future, but a UK tour too. These songs deserve to be heard live.
For me, The Night Champion is Koe Wetzel doing exactly what he does best: writing honest songs, delivering unforgettable lyrics and continuing to push his sound forward.
Whether you’ve been a fan for years or are just discovering his music, this album is well
worth your time.
The Night Champion by Koe Wetzel is out now